RTI Performance on Shared Memory and Message Passing Architectures

This paper compares the performance of HLA time management algorithms across three computing architectures: 1) a shared memory multiprocessor (SGI Origin), 2) a cluster of workstations interconnected via a low latency, high-speed switched network (Myricomm’s Myrinet), and 3) a traditional LAN using TCP/IP. This work is based on the RTI-Kit software package described in a paper presented at the Fall 1998 SIW. This software implements group communication and time management functions on the platforms described above. A time management algorithm designed to efficiently compute LBTS values on shared memory multiprocessors is described. This algorithm exploits sequentially consistent shared memory to achieve very efficient time management. We present results comparing the performance of this time management algorithm with a messagepassing algorithm implemented over shared memory.